Chennai Metro Rail has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some residents of north Chennai to prevent disputes in future over land needed for the phase I extension of the project.
According to Chennai Metro Rail LImited (CMRL) officials, in case there is a piece of land that they do not need to acquire for construction but require it only for access to their site, then they sign this MoU so that residents or owners too refrain from constructing in that space.
“For instance, if there is a small area in front of a residence or any shop that we may need only because that space also happens to be an access point to our construction site, then we sign this MoU with the respective owner; this MoU is signed to ensure that at no point should anything be constructed in this space. We want to avoid acquiring land unless it is absolutely essential. This way, the owners of the property also don’t feel threatened,” an official said.
In future, if the owner plans to sell the land then he can do so, with the existing conditions applicable.
It is not yet clear how many owners have signed this MoU with CMRL so far.
Chennai Metro Rail’s phase I extension project runs from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar, a 9-km stretch.
The project estimated to cost ₹3,770 crore has just begun as tunnelling work has started at Washermanpet. This stretch will be partially underground from Washermanpet to Korukkupet and continues as an elevated stretch till Wimco Nagar.
